The CTL has begun compiling information, testimonials, and resources about DACA students and how to support them in the times ahead. See below for more information about CUNY Dreamers, how to get involved, legal advice resources, and mental health and wellness outlets at Baruch. Please be in touch with us if you have any information or resources to add to this list.

CUNY Dreamers

Several Baruch students have been featured in major publications in order share how their lives have been changed by the DACA program. Ivy Teng Lei detailed how DACA allowed him to “literally [live] the American dream” and reminded us that, “America risks forgetting that immigrants are what make our country great”. Ricardo Aca remarked that “it’s hard to overstate how much DACA changed everyday life for people like [him]”.

Many other CUNY students have come together as CUNY Dreamers in order to “motivate and give undocumented students the tools to achieve their goals” and “use the power of [their] stories to transcend the fear of deportation and build a network of support.” Follow @CUNYDreamers on Twitter and visit their website to learn more about how you can support their most recent efforts.

Get Involved

United We DreamUnited We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation.Their network is made up of over 100,000 immigrant youth and allies and 55 affiliate organizations in 26 states. Check out this DACA Update (below) from United We Dream about the end of the DACA program and how to take actionable next steps. To learn more about how to support Dreamers, visit United we Dream and/or Donate.

Stand with Immigrants#STANDWITHIMMIGRANTS is a collaboration between the Immigration Advocates Network (IAN), American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), The Advocates for Human Rights, UnidosUS, and Pro Bono Net to empower legal advocates and other allies across the United States.

New York Immigration CoalitionThe New York Immigration Coalition aims to achieve a fairer and more just society that values the contributions of immigrants and extends opportunity to all. The NYIC promotes immigrants’ full civic participation, fosters their leadership, and provides a unified voice and a vehicle for collective action for New York’s diverse immigrant communities.

Immigration Advocates NetworkThe Immigration Advocates Network (IAN) is a collaborative effort of leading immigrants’ rights organizations designed to increase access to justice for immigrants and strengthen the capacity of organizations serving them.

Legal Advice

CUNY Citizenship Now!
CUNY Citizenship Now! provides free, high quality, and confidential immigration law services to help individuals and families on their path to U.S. citizenship. Our attorneys and paralegals offer one-on-one consultations to assess participants’ eligibility for legal benefits and assist them in applying when qualified.

Action NYC
ActionNYC is for every immigrant New Yorker. It offers free, safe immigration legal help in a network of trusted community organizations and schools.**You must make an appointment to receive services. To make an appointment, call 1-800-354-0365 between 9AM-6PM, Monday – Friday or call 311 and say “ActionNYC”.**

Also check out this PDF developed by the Meyer Law Office (adapted from materials from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center). It contains legally curated answers to questions such as “I currently have DACA. What will happen to my DACA work permit?” and more. PDF: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY AS DACA ENDS

Mental Heath and Wellness

If you have any questions or concerns, or if you, a student, or someone you know at Baruch is suffering from psychological or emotional trauma due to the DACA announcement, please access the following resources:

Baruch President Mitchel Wallerstein reminded us, “Since the founding of the Free Academy in 1847, on the site of what is now Baruch’s Lawrence and Eris Field Building at 17 Lexington Avenue, educating immigrants and the children of immigrants has been central to Baruch’s mission and to that of CUNY. The College remains fully committed to doing everything within its power to support and protect our students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their immigration status.”

Please be in touch with the CTL if you are looking for additional resources about DACA and supporting DACA students. Feel free to share these resources with your students as a reminder that Baruch will continue to support them in achieving their goals within and beyond CUNY.